When the impossible happens: the wildest scorelines in international football

Football is a game of surprises, where no result is ever guaranteed. Whether it’s a record-breaking scoreline or a massive upset, these moments remind us that anything can happen on the pitch.

Let’s take a look at some of the most shocking results in international football history – where the final whistle left fans in disbelief.

Australia - American Samoa 31-0 (2001)

No, this is not a typo – Australia scored 31 goals in a single World Cup qualifier against American Samoa. The Socceroos dominated from start to finish, with Archie Thompson scoring 13 goals on his own (still the record for most goals by a single player in an international match). For American Samoa, a small island nation, it was more about survival than competing. Australia’s finishing was so ruthless, even FIFA had to double-check the score.

Germany - Brazil 7-1 (2014 World Cup Semi-final)

Hosting the World Cup in 2014, Brazil dreamed of glory. Instead, they were handed a nightmare by Germany, who scored five goals in the first 30 minutes. The 7-1 thrashing left the Maracanã stadium stunned and Brazilian fans in tears. It was a historic defeat that remains etched in World Cup history, showing even the best teams can collapse on the biggest stage.

Faroe Islands - Austria 1-0 (1990)

Austria expected an easy win in their Euro 1992 qualifier against the tiny Faroe Islands, but instead, they were stunned by a 1-0 loss. The Faroes, made up of part-time players, celebrated wildly as their unlikely victory became one of football’s greatest upsets. Austria, on the other hand, had to face the embarrassment of losing to a team that didn’t even have a proper stadium.

Argentina - Bolivia 1-6 (2009)

Altitude or not, Argentina’s 6-1 hammering by Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier was a jaw-dropper. Lionel Messi and company were powerless in La Paz, as Bolivia ran riot. It was one of Argentina’s worst defeats ever, and proved that even huge football stars can have a truly bad day.

Barcelona - Paris Saint-Germain 6-1 (2017 Champions League)

Also known as ‘La Remontada’, Barcelona’s stunning 6-1 victory over PSG in the Champions League remains one of football’s most unbelievable comebacks. Down 4-0 after the first leg, Barça needed a miracle in the return leg. With three goals in the final minutes, they pulled off the impossible, advancing to the next round and leaving PSG shell-shocked. A comeback for the ages!

Whether it’s underdogs pulling off upsets or top teams collapsing, football always delivers the unexpected. So keep an eye on the odds – you never know when the next shocker will come!